Treating food poisoning

Most people with food poisoning get better without the need for treatment.

To help relieve your symptoms you should rest and drink plenty of fluids. It is best to avoid food until you feel much better. When you start eating again, choose foods that are easily digested, such as toast.

It's important that you do not become dehydrated because it will make you feel worse and lengthen your recovery.

Try to drink as much water as you can, even if you can only sip it, particularly every time you pass diarrhoea.

Oral rehydration salts (ORSs) are recommended for people vulnerable to the effects of dehydration, such as the elderly and those with another health condition (see below).

ORSs help replace salt, glucose and other important minerals lost through dehydration. They are available in sachets from pharmacies and you dissolve them in water to drink.

When to see your GP

It's not usually necessary to see your GP if you have food poisoning. You only need to see them if:

your symptoms are severe and do not improve after a few days

you have a high temperature (fever) of 38°C (100.4°F) or over

you have symptoms of severe dehydration, such as sunken eyes and passing small quantities of dark, strong smelling urine

there has been an outbreak of similar cases of food poisoning linked to a possible source of contamination

you have a baby with food poisoning

Occasionally, food poisoning can have more serious effects on a person’s health, particularly if they are vulnerable to infection. For example, if you are over 65 years of age, or you have a condition that weakens your immune system, such as HIV or cancer, your risk of developing more serious symptoms is increased. Babies are also at increased risk.

Signs that you may have a more serious case of food poisoning that requires medical attention include:

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Comments

The 2 comments about ‘Food Poisoning’ posted are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

Breaktime said on 28 September 2014

I have had food poisoning quite a few times and for me when I'm ready to eat I like salty crisps and I always drink coke (which I don't drink when I'm healthy) the coke has caffeine and sugars which when your really sick gives you abit of energy and it's also highly corrosive (I feel like it's eating the bugs in my belly-I could be wrong but I feels like it helps). I also avoid all dairy, milk etc until I'm 100%.

When I feel I can eat a bit I may have plain rice with salt and sugar or mashed potatoes with salt and cumin (the cumin is unexpectedly calming). The best way to go is eat a little bit as often as you can and I won't leave the house until I've had one clear day of not rushing to the toilet.

Lastly a little light comedy or a positive attitude, I like being alone or in close company when I'm sick but I don't let myself dwell on how sick I am-that's too depressing, it is possible to laugh and smile between running to the loo to puke and poo.

Bashir_R said on 23 January 2014

very helpful, I found mine given me severe and persistent pain. that I found it hard to stand or sit properly, its been on now since 4 days..I don't know how long more this is going to last and I can't face the last experience I had at my local hospital Darent Valley . I was neglected in severe pain crying for over six hours before I was attended to. since then, I'm really scared going back to hospital